Tag: The Big 65

Your Guide to Insurance for Credit Card Fraud

Credit Card Fraud and Medicare

In talking with other Medicare Insurance Brokers near me, you’d be surprised how many consumers on Medicare Insurance Plans do not pay enough attention to their credit card information.  Credit card fraud and Medicare are two things I know something about.

Last week I received a new Capital One Debit Card.

The problem?

I didn’t open the account :(.

Apparently, someone with my social security number and a burner phone opened the account on my behalf.

That means they have all my information.

The good news is I was able to cancel the card. If I had opened the account, and deposited money, chances are the scammers would have drained it later.

Credit card fraud is a form of identity theft.  When an unauthorized individual steals another person’s credit card information and uses that information to make purchases or remove funds, this is against the law.  Interestingly, Federal law limits a cardholders’ liability to $50.  That is, if there is credit card theft.  However, many banks will waive this amount IF the owner of the credit card is willing to sign an affidavit explaining the details of the theft.

We can protect ourselves from credit card fraud and identity theft by doing a couple of things now.  Find a card with $0 liability protection.  Sign up for transaction alerts on your current credit cards.  Keep an eye on your credit card information.   And consider adding a credit protection service.  These credit monitoring services can help protect you against credit card theft and put your mind at ease.

 

Credit card fraud and Medicare:  Be careful out there.

And if you have questions about Medicare Insurance, visit www.big65.com.

Medicare insurance broker Karl Bruns-Kyler Big 65

Coffee Ain’t Bad

May this note find you in good health with your Medicare Insurance working properly.

It’s rare to hear good news about things we do actually being good for you but…

A recent New York Times article describes the benefits that coffee can provide, possibly reducing your risk of sudden death by almost 30 percent if you drink 2-3 cups a day.

Cup of coffee photograph

Of course beware if you are able to handle the caffeine :).

The health benefits of coffee include a lower risk of type 2 Diabetes, a lower risk of depression, and improved Liver health.  But there’s more …

One study that involved 1,567 people, had some interesting results:  Researchers found that drinking caffeinated coffee offered positive results.  In fact, the study showed that the coffee drinking participants had a lower risk of death after 18 years of follow-up.  That’s impressive.  The researchers also found that drinking one cup of coffee per day (at a minimum) was also associated with a lower risk of death from cancer.

The health benefits of coffee don’t stop there.   Researchers are finding that additional health benefits of coffee include a reduced risk of developing:  Parkinson’s disease, melanoma, prostate cancer, and more.

Moderate coffee consumption was studies in the Nurses’ Health Study which evaluated 83,700 nurses’ diets.  The study found that drinking coffee was associated with several health benefits, including a decreased risk of stroke in women.

An interesting study conducted by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that caffeine can lead to increased fat oxidation.  This is encouraging news for athletes and non-athletes, alike.

The take-away from all of this:  COFFEE AIN’T BAD.

And if you have questions about Medicare Insurance, book a time on my calendar here.  Or find out more at www.TheBig65.com.

 

Don’t Let Pride Get In Your Way, Get Your Hearing Tested!

Let’s get down to it:  untreated hearing loss and untreated vision loss will cause a person to be less engaged, less connected, less alive, less content.  One of our frequent themes here at the Big 65:

If you are not growing, you are dying!

A few years ago, after much nagging from my family, I finally agreed to have my hearing tested.  The result?  Shock of shocks, I had hearing loss, I couldn’t hear the high-pitched tones, including my wife.

My response:  I got hearing aids, the second-best decision I have ever made (marrying my wife being the best).

The benefits were instantaneous:  I could hear birds sing, my family stopped having to repeat themselves constantly, I was immediately sharper and more productive, I could hear at parties.  Everyone was happier, especially me!

According to my Audiologist, Dr. Brock Sturlaugson at Hearing Rehab Solutions, most people wait years and years to have their hearing tested, long after they’ve been experiencing
problems.  Why do people wait?

Well for me it was pride. No one wants to admit they are getting older.  The good news is the devices are smaller, less noticeable and more powerful than ever.  Some days, when I wear practically invisible hearing aids and put in my contact lenses, I feel like the six-million-dollar man!

This article in the New York Times discusses the link between cognitive decline, hearing and vision loss.  While the link is not perfectly linear, one thing is certain:  the more connected we remain to family, community and life, the more content we are.

Even better news, some of the Medicare related health plans I work with are beginning to offer hearing benefits.  If you think you or a loved one is asking those around to repeat themselves too often, or if feel you are disengaging, it may be time to check your eyes and your ears.

So, go it do now! Think of it as a gift for the people you love.

It’ll cost you money and you may have to swallow your pride.

But, when you hear the birds singing in the back yard while you sip your coffee and marvel at the brilliant light in a morning sunrise, you’ll be damn glad you did, and so will those who love you!

And to all the audiologists in the world…thanks!

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here


Medicare insurance agent Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Insurance Services company.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Certified Senior Advisor and licensed independent insurance agent focused on helping consumers shop for Medicare coverage.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.